Set up a DC-3 group?
 

Only £100K, no VAT, for N47FK:

http://www.eurofly.co.uk/dakotasale/n47fk2.htm

It could be done!

QDM

I imagine Opex (running costs) would far outstrip Capex in this case?

Oh yes. Some fixed costs could be offset by airshow / film work, but probably not much. I'm guessing that fuel is in the order of 100 gallons an hour? Probably more. Out of my league, I'm afraid.

No-one said it would be cheap, but imagine the sound that beast makes!

QDM

P.S. There is a reason that G-DAKK Is being sold byt he receivers!

The sound? Yes, I'm with you on that one QDM!

So lets run it as a loss and a tax dodge then, and it'll lose money and go back to the receivers again!

This is on my all time wish list. Needs about 20 people in my view to try and make sense of the op costs. Oh and an army of volunteers to keep costs down. Anyone willing to make this happen can count me as one of the 20.

The Plane Sailing Catalina must have pretty similar operating costs, maybe a bit more. They have some quite high monthly sub and then I think it's £600 per hour and, I think, 15-20 people.

Chuck, how much does it cost to operate a PBY?

QDM

100k for a DC3...........I wouldn't give 1k

what people see in this ugly machine is beyond me :confused:

Sacrilege. Unbeliever!

QDM:

The basic costs for both the PBY and DC3 are:

Fuel : 72 Imp Gallons per. hour cruise.

Fuel: 85 Imp. gallons per. hour touch and go circuits.

Oil: Two to four Imp. gallons per. hour.

If you can get volunteer engineers and Pilots and a low insurance coverage, I can help you there, the DC3 is not all that expensive to operate.

If you wish more info e-mail me.

Cat Driver:

And where would the beauty be based? North Weald, Duxford?

Getting 20 bods of like mind within reasonable distance of the airfield could be a problem. I could be interested if it's one of the above. :)

Sticking with the round engines theme, but more affordable in terms of CapEx and OpEx, what about a Beech 18 or a Broussard?

I'm definitely interested. Unfortunately, despite the fact that I've been hassling her non-stop since I saw this post yesterday, my manager isn't interested enough to give me the huge pay-rise I'd need, so I think I'll just have to sit here and day-dream :(

FFF
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It's a bit of a step up from a Yak but it's one of my all-time favourites. 20 people at 5K up front each, it certainly makes you think. If based at Duxford and on public transport C of A, I suspect a deal might be reached to lease some of its capacity to Classic Wings, especially on air show days when they have a potential need to get a lot of pleasure flying done in a relatively short time. A DC-3 on such days is the ideal complement to the Rapide / Moth operation, as the old Russavia pleasure flying operation used to bring in a DC-3 to run alongside two Rapides, a Moth and a Chippie on the big air show days back in the late '80s, and there was never a problem selling the seats. Obviously any revenue from this would only supplement the overall annual running costs, not pay them. But given the expansion plans for Duxford I think the outlook could be increasingly favourable over time.

I once followed one down finals and its approach speed seemed like about 70kts.

I was in a PA32 doing 90 and was definitiely catching up!!!

Amazing aeroplane.

Sorry, can't afford to join in, but I'll willingly stump up a bit of cash to come flying with you if you can pull it off.

Ugly? No way! And if I prefer her bigger sisters (-4, -6 and -7) it's only because they are rarer over here!

Good luck,

Treads

Well LowNSlow, that's why you wanted your Multi-Rating back.

I guess next time B.A. are flogging a 747 for £1 m there'll be a new thread.......let me see, how many shareholders at £5k each:D :D

Had a look at this DC3 in detail a month or so ago.

When it comes down to the realistic sale price of £60k - at most - then put me down, as I decided I couldn't buy it all for myself.

If anyone seriously considers it at the much inflated price, then I have some very detailed running costs for you. Email me.

It can make itself pay done right.

I think a time-expired 747 would convert into an excellent house - can't quite see Croydon Council giving me planning-permission on that one though! Never mind how to get it here...

Weren't a bunch of the ex-BA Classic 747's sold off for considerably less than £1M?

If there's a will to do something like this, have a look at my post on forming a group. :D

As sunneysideup says, £60k is a more realistic price even for one in tip top condition. If there was going to be arial work done would it have to be on a UK C of A or could it retain it's N reg?

If you want that round engine sound and the fun of taildragging, a Broussard is the cheapest way to do it.

Isn't this the Dak with a completely bare interior cos it's major function in life is dropping paras in between attending airshows? If so, she's not exactly showroom condition......

Looks fun, got no money. If it ever happens, happy to trade professional services for flying hours.

G

A group of 6 has just bought G-YYYY, the former St. Ivel advertiser, from Rendcombe and operates it at Eggesford. They seem to have no problems operating it and it's very nice to fly apparently. About 20 gallons an hour. If it's flying and you're here there are usually spare seats in the cavernous interior.

The DC3 would be incredible fun and probably do-able at £60K capital cost with 10-20 or so members, but it would take someone to lead the project who had real driving force (and time).

QDM